Google has announced Pax, a Android Networked Cross-License Agreement with an aim to reduce patent infringement cases and patent threats. Under PAX, members grant each other royalty-free patent licenses covering Android and Google Applications on qualified devices. PAX means peace in latin.
Google says there are more than 400 partner manufacturers and 500 carriers who have produced more than 4,000 major devices in the last year alone with an astounding 1.6 billion active users. Android is distributed under open-source licenses that allows anyone to use it for free and PAX will further expand the openness of Android for its members.
Jamie Rosenberg,
PAX members currently include Google, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Foxconn Technology Group, HMD Global, HTC, Coolpad, BQ, and Allview. The members collectively own more than 230,000 patents worldwide. As more companies join, PAX will bring even more patent peace and value to its members through more freedom to innovate.
Prior to PAX, Google has been involved in the LOT Network and the Open Patent Non-assertion Pledge to reduce patent fights.